Star Wars Zero Company Challenges XCOM

Certainly! Here’s the reimagined article in a more human, stream-of-consciousness style:

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So, there’s this game, Star Wars Zero Company. It’s this fresh turn-based thing, set smack in the Star Wars universe. I mean, who wouldn’t get excited about that? It’s co-developed by Bit Reactor—okay, they’re kinda new on the scene—and Respawn, the folks behind Star Wars Jedi. Seriously, this game might just shake things up in sci-fi land.

But here’s the thing, the Bit Reactor team isn’t just randomly throwing darts at a board with this one. They’ve got veterans who’ve tread this path before. Remember XCOM? Yeah, they’ve had their hands in that pie. And that raises the big question—when is the next XCOM popping up? Not that I’m counting days… or maybe I am?

Anyway, XCOM’s been around forever. Like, 1994 forever. Crazy, right? Last thing we got was XCOM: Chimera Squad in 2020. And silence since then. Do they think we’re patient? The series had this big reboot by Firaxis in 2012, which was like waking up a hibernating bear. It’s been great for the genre, yet here we are, in suspense, waiting for the next chapter. Fingers crossed it’s not the end of the line.

Oh! Fun fact—Bit Reactor’s CEO, Greg Foertsch, was the art magician behind XCOM: Enemy Unknown and its sequel. Seems like he knows his stuff.

Now, Star Wars Zero Company doesn’t have the whole alien invasion thing going on. But with the Bit Reactor crew’s expertise, the game mechanics might feel cozy for XCOM fans. Star Wars is its own beast—sci-fi, sure—but it might just scratch that turn-based itch. I mean, until someone decides to grace us with more XCOM.

And a side note, some characters in Zero Company lead squads through the Clone Wars. Because why not add a little Star Wars flair?

Turn-based gameplay is definitely vibing right now. Just look at Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Baldur’s Gate 3—they’re not tactical like XCOM but still riding that turn-based wave. It’s wild seeing this genre getting love again.

So yeah, while waiting for Zero Company, I’m keeping a hopeful eye out for more XCOM. And who knows, maybe more turn-based jewels will drop out of the blue. Here’s hoping!